"It'll be a special that we will film next February," Davis told Digital Spy. "I just got the script the other day, and it is amazing. It takes the story further, it takes the character further. It's really funny. I can't wait for it."

The actor added that Gervais is currently aiming for a spring 2013 air date, but appeared to rule out a full second series of the celebrity-packed sitcom.

"It would be nice [but] it's all due to time constraints and things that we all have at the moment," he explained. "But I think it's terrific we can carry the story on and deliver an hour special."

Gervais is also planning to wrap up Sky1's An Idiot Abroad and his animated project The Ricky Gervais Show in order to concentrate on new Channel 4 series Derek.